ZUMA's Morris Shot in Iraq, but not Down

March 6, 2006 - ZUMA Press contract photographer Toby Morris received non-life threatening injuries last week when he was shot twice by snipers in Ramadi while on patrol with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Morris, who was shot once in the leg and once in the ankle, said the Sergeant of his unit jumped in the line of fire to protect him from sustaining further injury. Morris believes the Sergeant was also wounded in the incident, but is unable to confirm his condition.

Morris began his powerful Iraqi coverage in January 2006, focusing on the ongoing efforts of coalitions troops to weed out the insurgency.

Ruaridh Stewart, ZUMA's Picture Desk Manager, spoke with Morris after he was stabilized in a field hospital.

"Toby seemed obviously disappointed that his mission had to end this way, but sounded like his spirits were lifted by James Nachtwey, who stopped in to check on him," said Stewart.

"Toby was also determined finish as much of his work as he could before leaving. I can't believe he had the energy to transmit photos from his hospital bed and discuss his feature on soldiers whose lives had been saved by their body armor," added Stewart.

Morris is currently in a Baghdad hospital awaiting transfer to the U.S. via Germany. In the meantime, we wish him a speedy recovery and safe return home. To view more of his Iraqi coverage, click here.

All images © TOBY MORRIS/ZUMA Press

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